Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman yesterday presented awards to the winners and best speakers at the 2nd BSP UBD Green Debate Finals, held at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom, the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Upon arrival, she was greeted by the Managing Director of BSP, Mr Ken Marnoch and the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Dato Paduka Dr Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi.

The event began with the recitation of surah al-fatihah followed by the welcoming remarks from Mr Ken Marnoch and Dato Paduka Dr Haji Zulkarnain.

Towards the end of the event, a video-clip on 'Sustainability Tomorrow, Today' was presented before the announcement and presentation of awards to the winners.

HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah also received a 'pesambah' from Mr Ken Marnoch before proceeding to the 'Green Gallery' outside the hall, which showcased BSP's and UBD's environmental efforts and tips on living green.

The finals yesterday saw undergraduates of UBD and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) battling it out in the University Category on the topic, "The Media Are More Effective than the Legislation in Protecting the Environment", in which UNISSA as the opposition team emerged as champion.

Meanwhile, in the Pre-University Category, champion Sayyidina Ali Secondary School and first runner-up Katok Sixth Form Centre debated on the following topic, "The Youth of Brunei will be the Main Driver of Change Needed to Deliver the Sustainability Goals of Wawasan 2035".

The winning team of both categories went home with a certificate, trophy and a B$2,000 cash prize while the runner-ups received a certificate, trophy and a B$1,000 cash prize. Best speakers from the preliminary rounds up to the finals were also awarded with a trophy and certificate of participation.

The panel of judges was headed by Awang Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Other guests at the event yesterday included senior officials, officers and staff from various government and non-government agencies as well as teachers and students from participating schools.

The debate served as a joint collaboration between the Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and UBD, and has marked the revivification of relationships between one of the largest energy companies in Asia and the leading educational institute in Brunei Darussalam.

This year's competition, which carried the theme, "Live the Green Life", aimed to raise the level of environmental commitment from just awareness and knowledge to ownership and action. It is also a testament to BSP's and UBD's continuous support to the sustainable development in the country. - Borneo Bulletin (21st Octopber 2011)